Normal or Supernatural - 2
Subject – The Church Must Decide – Normal or Supernatural
by Rick Welborne
Luke 24:44-53 (NKJV)
44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And you are witnesses of these things.
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And you are witnesses of these things.
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
--Last week we saw how the disciples were in such a tough place. They had witnessed Jesus arrested, they watched Him beaten and tortured, and they watched Him be crucified.
--If this was not bad enough, they fled when He was arrested. They deserted Him when He needed them the most. Peter denied Him three times just as Jesus had predicted.
--The United States, actually the world, has been in a tough place for the last several weeks. We have been isolated thru Social Distancing. You could feel the oppression of so many. Retirements affected.
--We are still praying for so many who were stricken with this virus and praying for their complete recovery. We are praying for an economic recovery after millions have lost their jobs.
--Jesus showed up for the disciples, after they had gone back fishing, seeing if they wanted to do normal or if they were ready to go for more.
--Again, Life Church, I ask you, do you want normal or do you have a desire for more? Do you really want a supernatural life with Jesus?
--Jesus invited the disciples to come and to eat. He knew they needed to be restored physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I truly believe the same is true about us. We need restoration. Come and eat!
--When Jesus had that serious conversation with Peter about…Do you love Me…it was a serious conversation for all of us. Jesus was asking Peter and He is asking us, are you ready to go to a new place with God?
--Wonderful, we are coming to eat and we are being restored by the Lord but that isn’t the entirety of the story. Jesus was not finished with His disciples and He is not finished with us.
--If we believe God is only interested in getting the church back to the same ole same ole normalcy we had before the Coronavirus, I believe we are very mistaken.
--I hope the scales have fallen off our eyes to know that everything we hold dear can be taken away quickly. Our freedoms can be striped in a matter of days leaving us in shock and dismay. Disillusioned!
--Do we have a deep enough relationship with the Lord, that whatever comes, hell or high water, we can stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
--Though I do not believe like the conspiracy theorist that everything about COVID 19 was aimed at the church, trying to shut it down. I do believe Satan is definitely like politicians.
--Satan never lets a crisis go to waste. If what is happening to the world can be a tool to impact the church negatively, he will do it. We have seen much of that. Attempts to limit our freedom to worship.
--Hear your pastor, I also believe that what Satan has intended for evil can be used to bring honor and glory to God! It also can be a time for the church to experience supernatural growth and miracles.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
--Stay with me, the death and burial of Jesus happened to put an end to this movement of believers (The Way) and to, once and for all, kill God’s plan of redemption.
--The disciples were so discouraged that Satan almost succeeded, but Jesus said He would build His church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it.
--Jesus was raised from the dead and I believe the church is about to rise in supernatural power! I believe there is coming a last day’s revival where millions are going to be saved.
--As the outpouring of God’s grace and mercy was supernatural the first time, it must be the same this time. God gives us His Word and patterns for a reason.
1. The Move of God that is Coming Must be Biblical.
--Jesus was trying to prepare the disciples for such a move of God that they would eventually be accused of turning their world upside down. Lord, do it again.
Luke 24:44-45 (NKJV)
44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
--If we will come out of this Coronavirus with a mighty move of God, it will be because we follow the Word of God not the latest kooky thing coming down the pike.
--These guys have been with the Lord for three years and many of you have been with the Lord a very long time. Our obedience to His Word and the following of His commands will lead us to revival.
--Stop worrying about the latest video on the internet. I received one the other night telling me to make sure my cell phone had to be at least three feet from me that night or I would die from the radiation. What?
--They even told me that millions would die. Nothing on the news but this is sent forth like it is real. Fake news! I slept with my phone closer that night. I am ready to see Jesus. If it can’t be verified, don’t send it.
--But God’s Word, send it to everyone. Heaven and earth will pass away but Jesus says My Word will endure forever. Does the Word of God say anything about the last days? I believe it does.
Daniel 12:3-4 (NKJV)
3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
--Boom! God’s Word has nailed this! We have seen knowledge increase so rapidly that by the time you get home with your smart phone, it is already dumb.
--In the last days it has been prophesied that the Jews will return to Israel in extremely large numbers:
Isaiah 43:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth--
5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth--
--On the day of Pentecost when Holy Spirit was being poured out on God’s people, Peter quoted the Scriptures from Joel that should make all of us shout! It is God’s Word!
Acts 2:16-21 (NKJV)
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.'
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.'
--Yes, the disciples went thru hell. Yes, we have been thru COVID 19. Nothing stops the Word of God from being fulfilled. If those were the last days, then we are the last of the last days!
--Please excuse me for getting excited about what God is about to do before His return. Yes, I believe evil is waxing worse and worse, but I also believe God’s glory is going to be shown in the earth again.
--The Word of God says Jesus died, was buried, and rose on the third day. According to God’s Word I declare to you, the Church of the Living God is getting ready for resurrection power.
2. The Move of God that is Coming Must be Focused on the Great Commission.
--Please keep in mind that our text we read and quoted from is what Jesus was telling His disciples right before He left and right before Holy Spirit outpouring.
Luke 24:46-47 (NKJV)
46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
--A little more detail is given in Matthew’s gospel:
Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
--I believe churches who are not focused on the Great Commission will not be a part of this last day revival. How can they be and why would they be? What would they need Holy Spirit’s power? To dance harder!
--I will say it! Any church, any Christian who are not mission’s minded are out of the will of God. Jesus is giving instructions before He ascends to the Father…He expects us to be obedient to His commands!
--They are just days away from Jesus showing them how He is about to build His church. Just on the Day of Pentecost 3000 souls were born again. It was supernatural! Jesus, do it again!
3. The Move of God that is Coming Must be Holy Spirit Empowered.
Luke 24:49-53 (NKJV)
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
--Hear your pastor, if we will come out of Covid 19 (this Pandemic) with supernatural power and growth like never before, it will come from the Promise of the Father. Holy Spirit!
--Man can build big churches and man can even draw big crowds but having Hollywood entertainment and bells and whistles with the singing, but to have Biblical revival it must be Holy Spirit.
--The disciples had pretty much been in isolation and in hiding until God fulfilled His Promise to pour out Holy Spirit power. When that happened the Church exploded in growth. Lord, do it again!
--You can go back to normal and be content with that if you want to but not me! If God has promised a last days outpouring I want to be a part of it!
--Pastor, I am still weary from the Pandemic. You shall receive power when Holy Spirit comes upon you. Tarry like the disciples did until you receive power from on high! We need something from Heaven!
Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:39-41 (NKJV) 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about
three thousand souls were added to them.
three thousand souls were added to them.
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